Vodafone India outpaces other group units, posts 15% growth in Dec quarter

MUMBAI: Vodafone's Indian unit outpaced its group counterparts to report 15% organic growth in revenue in the quarter through December, as subscribers used more of its premium data services, even as the basic voice telecom service remained under pressure, like its top rivals. Organic service revenue, which takes out items like handset sales and forex fluctuations, at the local unit of UK's Vodafone Group rose to £1.1 billion (Rs 10,786 crore). In the July-September quarter, it had posted revenue of £1.02 billion. At the current rate, the India unit contributes about 10% of the parent's revenue. The company is ranked No. 2 in India, with nearly 179 million subscribers, which is the most Vodafone Group has in any country. The group retained its outlook for the financial year that ends in March, implying year-endearnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation of Rs 11,373 crore for India. "Growth in India has accelerated again, driven by data," Group chief executive Vittorio Colao said in a news release. Globally, Vodafone's revenue in the past quarter rose 13.5% to £10.88 billion. Organic growth was 0.7%.   ET